The Difference of a Year

I believe that God renews & redeems.  I believe that God mends broken hearts.

Last year on December 23rd we began to lose a baby that we had hoped & prayed for & already loved.

This year on December 23rd I went into labor.

Last year on December 24th we sat with friends, weeping as I continued to miscarry.

This year on December 24th, our daughter was born.

Last year on December 25th, the miscarrying continued as we tried to plaster on happy faces while our hearts were breaking.

This year on December 25th, we spent a quite & joyful Christmas in the hospital, getting to know our little girl.

Last year on December 26th, the doctor confirmed that the baby was gone.

This year on December 26th, we brought Annie home.

My heart still grieves the loss of last Christmas & I believe it always will, but at the same time my heart has fallen in love again with the arrival of this little one.  I don't believe the timing of this was a coincidence.  I believe it was perfectly planned by the one who perfectly loves us.

Annie & Daddy

I'm pretty sure John is already Annie's favorite!

Merry Christmas!

We received the best Christmas present ever yesterday morning with the birth of our sweet little girl.  

Anneli (said Ana-Leigh) K Hendrix arrived at 6:04am on December 24th after an incredibly swift & intense labor.  Annie surprised everyone by weighing in at a whopping TEN pounds & measures 22 1/4 inches long.

We're resting at the hospital until Friday when we get to go home & be a new family of four!

From the mouths of babes

This morning Jack stumbled into our room & started to crawl into bed next to me.  He suddenly stopped & walked over to the crib saying, "Mama?  Is there a baby in there yet?"

Looks like everyone around here is just waiting.

Eating my words...

I had publicly predicted that I would no longer be pregnant as of the end of last week.

Well, it's the middle of the next week & yes, I am still very pregnant.  Darn.

I hit my due date tomorrow, yet I already feel as if I'm overdue.

Yesterday my doctor said he didn't expect to see me at my appointment next week & I told him that I didn't expect to see him this week.  He figures one of us is bound to be right at some point.

Sleep gets more & more elusive each night.  I never thought I'd say I was ready to have a baby just so I could actually sleep again, but I am!  I figure this baby won't possibly sleep worse than Jack who woke every 2 hours or less for the first 8-9 months of his life.  Surely that won't happen 2 times in a row...

Where is baby?

I was certain we were going to make a trip to the hospital last night.  But, we're still here & no baby in sight.  I've had a hunch that the little one is coming this week, but I'd like to make it to next Monday.

Things have been progressing just like they did with Jack, which is why I think the baby is well on its way.  As of yesterday I am 3 centimeters dilated & feeling contractions every day.  They are mild & don't hurt, but there.  

I got very sad yesterday about the baby coming.  I'm so excited to meet this little one & so excited to find out who's been rumbling around in my belly all these months, but I feel as if I'm already mourning my alone time with Jack.  We've had so much fun together lately & it feels strange to be stepping into the unknown again.  I'm just trying to enjoy our time together as much as possible right now.  

Overheard in the Hendrix house this weekend

Today while I was putting Jack down for his nap he said:

"Mama, you're so cute."

"Mama, you're the best."

"Mama, you're beautiful.  Mama, I am too."

My favorite quote of the weekend was when we were pretend playing "airport" and he said, "Mama, the pilot needs to snuggle." while climbing onto my lap.  Lately he needs to snuggle about 15 times a day.  Perhaps it's because I'm so pregnant that having the thermostat set at 65 feels warm to me.  The poor kid is a popsicle.

I'm not sure how I got the sweetest kid ever, but I'm sure glad I did.  Feel free to stop by if you need a boost from Jack.